Mara has been enjoying adventures by herself recently. When she decides she wants to wander, she tends to go. She doesn’t wait for Rana (or wait for anything, not even Scott delivering pumpkins); she just goes.
Rana is incredibly food-oriented – specifically hay oriented. We are feeding Mara extra food – and additional meals – to keep her weight up, so there is generally lots of food around Mara. If Mara is ready to head out into Yard 4, Rana isn’t interested in following until all the hay is gone. In general, Rana has a bit of a tendency to laziness, which is compounded when staying put involves more hay snacks. Rana is aware when Mara leaves, and she has the option to follow Mara – just like Mara has the option to wait for Rana. It is an intentional choice on both their parts to separate at times. They both seemed very laid back and relaxed about this recent independence.
Sometimes, Rana will head out to Mara after a few hours. Other times, Mara will head back to Rana. Still other times, they will stay apart for the majority of the day.
When Mara leaves Rana, she frequently heads near the pond in Yard 4 to swim or to graze. The ponds are rapidly filling back up, making them a little cooler than usual since the rain is on the chilly side. Mara seems to enjoy the cooler water. Today’s video is Mara playing in the pond by herself. On this day, Mara was in Yard 4 before breakfast and spent the day out there. Rana spent that entire day with Bambi. By dinner time, she was back near the barn, happy to be back with Rana.
They don’t seem to look lost or call to each other, even when they get a little lost trying to find each other. One recent evening, Mara headed back to the barn but went to Yard 3, where she found a closed gate – and Bambi through the fence. The two were happily hanging out. We found Rana alone in Yard 2, so we fed her part of the way to the others, and, once she finished eating, she found Mara and Bambi, and they had a mini-party. Another night, Rana came back but found a closed gate near the square. We led her to Mara, who was near the back of Yard 3. The two were very happy to see each other, with lots of happy ear flaps, and they quickly walked off together in Yard 4.
It’s a good sign of how secure Rana & Mara are that they don’t feel any anxiety or concern when they are apart. It’s an excellent level of independence for both of them, because, as we all know, sometimes you don’t want to do exactly what your best friend is doing.
Comments(22) 
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Sharon says
December 17, 2020 at 4:01 pmOh wow !! This video really melted my heart. Such a big change in Mara. She was so insecure about being away from Rana at one stage. It’s lovely to see them ‘just being elephants’
Julie says
December 17, 2020 at 4:05 pmSo many choices in sanctuary! This is a good sign. I feel warm and fuzzy all over knowing the girls are getting over their PTSD with the help of the sanctuary and wonderful, talented caregivers. Thank you for the post! Very nice!
Allison Guy says
December 17, 2020 at 4:17 pmHow happy Mara is. It is lovely to see!
Lane says
December 17, 2020 at 4:23 pmSo sweet to see. BTW, you don’t need to put music behind the videos. It’s much more fun to hear the actual sounds of nature. Thanks again for all you do .
Kat Blais says
December 17, 2020 at 5:47 pmThe video was from the camera system, so we didn’t disturb her. Unfortunately, it doesn’t pick up sound at all, just visuals.
Carey says
December 17, 2020 at 4:59 pmOne of the most beautiful videos because of all that it means. It’s very moving to see how she feels safe enough to simply be an elephant, at last…
Barb says
December 17, 2020 at 5:03 pmWow! That was precious seeing Mara’s “me time”. So peaceful and wonderful solitude! Thank you for sharing those moments. Music was appropriate too.
Lila Nieto says
December 17, 2020 at 5:49 pmOh, thank you so much for this long video. It’s like… great meditation.
Of course, the normal behavior and social dynamic of a healthy sanctuary like this are so different to how Asian elephants interact in the wild, I guess. In sanctuary they come from brutal and unnatural backgrounds, and once they arrive here and find peace and herd, for one thing they don’t need to migrate for food, like herds in the wild. There are no babies. Many things must be different, which doesn’t mean something bad necessarily, only different.
What do you think of this? I would love to read a post about this, since you must know so much and you write so well.
elaine richard says
December 17, 2020 at 5:49 pmSo happy to see Mara playing in the water, just like the freely roaming elephants we loved seeing on a life-changing visit to Zimbabwe and Hwange nature reserve, where they are safe.
John says
December 17, 2020 at 6:19 pmHow lovely that she enjoys time in the pond by herself. I’m curious if they have to do anything to the water to keep it somewhat clean, or maybe that isn’t an issue….
Kat Blais says
December 18, 2020 at 8:04 amWe use a pool skimmer to clean out the dung balls, but during the rainy season, the pond is refreshed almost daily by new, cool rains.
Sherry says
December 17, 2020 at 6:24 pmLove this video and the music, too.❤️
FRANCINE FORD says
December 17, 2020 at 6:45 pmThis video & It’s description is proof that SANCTUARY HEALS! It’s so Zen & meditative. Add knowledge of Mara’s past in the mix & you have a complete ele, confident in her desire to do as she pleases, when she pleases & however she pleases, being the cherry on top. Way to go & go & go Mara! A very BEAUTIFUL video. Thank you so much for sharing these incredible souls who lives you have changed forever. In turn changing all of our lives forever.
❤?❤?❤?❤?❤
SHEILA says
December 17, 2020 at 7:24 pmWELL DEAR ?MARA! IS LIKELY FEELING BETTER! MORE ENERGY! SHE FEELS THE NEED TO DO POND WHALING??. MARA IS REALLY ENJOYING HERSELF FOR SURE❗️. AND PERHAPS. SHES JUST WANTING SOME ALONE TIME!
COULD THIS INDEPENDENCE BE A RESULT OF. PUTTING RANA? AND ?BAMBI IN A YARD TOGETHER FOR HALF A DAY VISITS WHILE MARA WHEN SHE WAS NOT FEELING WELL WAS JUST LUNCHING AT BARN ?? MAYBE IT WAS A GOOD THING AS BAMBI REALLY NEEDS VISITS TOO! THEY ALL SEEM TOMBE HAPPY IN THIS STORY SO THIS IS WONDERFUL IF RANA IS GAINING WEIGHT AND HAPPIER?
Tracy H says
December 17, 2020 at 7:29 pmThis fills me with so much joy and happiness for all these beautiful girls. Just knowing they have the choice to do whatever, whenever is what this special place is all about. Love to each and everyone of you who make this possible. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas ???and I can’t wait to see all the new ??? 2021 brings to sanctuary …
Jan Van Patten says
December 17, 2020 at 8:00 pmAhhh a Calgon moment- people of a certain age from the US will know what that is. I hope she is enjoying as much as I enjoy watching. Just delightful❣️❣️❣️
bo says
December 18, 2020 at 12:22 amthe word zen comes to mind again.
so lovely to see.
Sallie says
December 18, 2020 at 1:18 amWhat a precious vid! Mara is happy and playful in her sweet pond. I am thrilled for her, allowing herself some “Me” time!
Rosie P says
December 18, 2020 at 3:18 amA wonderful video. It is so relaxing and soothing to watch Mara simply be……actually very moving. It is a video for reflection and meditation. An elephant feeling safe and doing what elephants do. I can want for nothing more at this point in time….it’s bliss!
Kelejan says
December 18, 2020 at 11:50 amJust doing nothing but watching an elephant wallow in a pond. So soothing. Thank you,
Rachel says
December 18, 2020 at 1:58 pmA spa day for Mara, how wonderful. This is one video I’m going to watch again when I need some meditative time. I could feel my spirit relax for a few minutes, something I need more often than I realize. Beautiful to watch and lovely, uplifting update. Thanks for sending both. ❤️
Gladys says
December 19, 2020 at 5:14 pmHola! Estoy buscando pero no encuentro actualización del estado de salud de Mara!! Podrias contarme o decirme donde puedo informarme por favor! Quiero saber como sigue de su pancita! Gracias gracias gracias!
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